No Holds Barred

Check Mate

*Laylah*

1st and 2nd period classes were the most boring classes of my life, but my 3rd had me okay. Mari and Zoony would be hear any minute. I went and sat at our usual back table. I pulled out my portable charger and charged my phone as I waited for my classmates to pour in. Two hoes, China and Nae Nae, sat gossiping and I heard them mention Zoony's name. I raised my eyebrows in curiosity. Once they saw that I was listening they cut their conversation short.

I put in my earphones to listen to an instrumental for my audition piece. I was feeling the beat so I wrote down a couple lines.

Light and not dead-weight

But dead weight

Like pounds and ounces don't exist

Like gravity held itself

And we hold ourselves down like a bunch of misfits

I stopped when I saw Mari come into the class. I checked the time. Zoony was almost late and I knew this wasn't normal for her. Mari and I seemed to study the front of the class for Zoony to walk through. China noticed we were looking up front and flipped her weave over her shoulder and flirt with the guys in class. Mari mumbled something under his breath and I laughed. I knew exactly what he was thinking. He had already texted me about the situation with China earlier at his locker. I just shook my head.

The teacher began to call roll and I was hoping Zoony would hurry up. I even texted her to bring her ass to class. Just as the teacher got to her name she walked through the door. She came rushing to her seat with frustration written all over her face.

"I told you," whispered China to Nae Nae. Zoony heard the comment but didn't say anything and that surprised me. She couldn't stop me from saying anything though, not even her pleading little hazel eyes.

"Be man or mouse," I said, raising my voice enough for China to hear me. She turned around and looked at me. I looked back and she rolled her eyes. I smirked as our classmates looked between us. Scary ass.

Class began the way I liked it to. This was creative writing so I loved when we watched creative people. Once I started writing I couldn't help the energy that flowed through my pen. By the time class was officially over I had written two different pieces. A rap and a poem. Mari wanted to write to the rap piece and I didn't mind. He could come up with something hot.

When the bell finally rang for fourth, Mari, Zoony, and I headed to the auditorium. I was avoiding E-Man when I saw him in the hallway, but I know he saw me. He attacked me this morning and now I have a hickey on my neck. I tried my best to cover it so I used Mari's hoodie. I was trying my best to hide it from him because he would flip if he saw it.

My phone rang as I walked in the auditorium. It was my uncle. He was calling at an awkward time which only meant that he was headed out of the states or out of town.

"Hello," I answered.

"This betta be an off period the reason you answa," he said instantly.

"yes uncle. I'm headed to practice."

"Well you need to be in the study too. Aaron is comin' to get you from school."

"Yes sir." Aaron was one of my cool, laid back cousins with a heavy accent. I loved to hear him talk because it reminded me of home. If your tried to hide your accent it came out around him. My uncle hung up and i made my way to the stage. the microphones stood in plain sight.

Mari hopped on the stage instead of climbing the stairs like a savage instead of a normal human being. I couldn't help but laugh and shake my head. He grabbed the mic and began to sing Ordinary People by John Legend. His voice carried through the speakers sending chills through my body. Mari can sing! All of a sudden he stopped.